Michigan JAM! East Lansing, Freeland, Grand Haven

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>During my summer vacation, I visited an old-school arcade that happened to include an edition of “NBA JAM,” the ultimate retro basketball video game. This game became famous during the 90s at the arcade and on numerous gaming consoles. The original game was released by Midway in 1993 and featured players from NBA rosters. Each NBA team featured two players who competed in 2 on 2 with no subs. Later additions to the game included 3-5 players, which gave gamers the ability to sub new players into the games. The game's exaggerated graphics, high-flying dunks, and lack of fouls made it wildly unique and popular amongst gamers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://videogamehistory.fandom.com/wiki/NBA_Jam">Read more about the history of NBA JAM Here.</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>MICHIGAN JAM! HS Article Series</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This article series, modeled after the original “NBA JAM”, will include 2 players per team. There is an Eastern Conference and a Western Conference. Two high school players from the same team are included as a “Dynamic Duo”. Each player will be assigned a fictitious rating for physical and skill attributes based on the criteria of the original “NBA JAM”.&nbsp;<strong>Rating</strong>&nbsp;<strong>Breakdown</strong>: Overall speed/6, Shooting skill from 3 pt/6, Skill at dunking/6, Overall defensive skill/6. The overall rating is out of 24 (rating criteria are modeled using the original “NBA JAM”). Some of the original ratings of players from “NBA JAM”: Tim Hardaway-speed 5/6, 3 pts 4/6, dunks 1/6, defense 4/6, Final 14/24, Charles Barkley-speed 4/6, 3 pts 3/6, dunks 6/6, def 1/6, Final 14/24, Scottie Pippen-speed 5/6, 3 pts 4/6, dunks 6/6, def 5/6, Final 20/24. Best Rated Teams: New York Knicks (33 pts), Charlotte Hornets (32 pts), Chicago Bulls (32 pts no MJ), Sacramento Kings (30)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>MICHIGAN JAM! Ratings Explained:</strong>&nbsp;0=Not Observed, 1-2=Rare, 3=Average, 4=Above Average, 5=Advanced, 6=Elite</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Speed</strong>&nbsp;is ball handling, acceleration, and quickness,&nbsp;<strong>3 pts&nbsp;</strong>is shooting 3s efficiently more often than not,&nbsp;<strong>Dunks</strong>&nbsp;is leaping ability, elevation, and/or height,&nbsp;<strong>Defense</strong>&nbsp;is steals, deflections, shutting down your position, and&nbsp;<strong>Final Rating</strong>&nbsp;is the sum of all those categories out of 24 points. As you can see, legends of the NBA game including Hall of Famers don't score over 20! This is meant to be a lighthearted and fun way of learning about some of the great duos in the state and not to be taken too seriously. There were 27 teams in the original “NBA JAM”, but I have expanded the total to 18 teams per conference.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/snes/588511-nba-jam/faqs/35861">Read more about NBA JAM RATINGS</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PGH MICHIGAN JAM Twitter Tournament</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Twitter, these teams have been seeded into an elimination bracket. YOU decide who advances each round of the tournament by voting in the polls on my Twitter page. Each poll lasts 48 hours and whoever receives the most votes wins! Teams from each conference go head to head until we have a winner of the Eastern and Western Conferences. The winners then compete to determine the PGH Michigan JAM 2024 Champion! The winning team wins live PGH coverage at one of their high school games during the 2024-25 season. The bracket is posted on Twitter with updates following each round.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Each week, new teams from each conference will have their individualized ratings, graphics, and team evaluation posted in articles, so you will want to keep your eyes peeled for the articles and tournament updates on Twitter!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's take a look at three Dynamic Duos from the Western Conference representing East Lansing, Freeland, and Grand Haven!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">East Lansing Trojans</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":973181,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/08/PGHJam-EastLansing-v2.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-973181" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='773848' first='Ariyana' last='James']-5-9-CG-2025-East Lansing-[program_tooltip program_id='713024' first='Michigan' last='Drive Premier']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ariyana has length, unique athleticism, and explosive quickness as a guard which makes her a gamechanger on both sides of the ball. Ariyana races down the floor off the dribble in transition to score layups, pulls up to hit mid-range jumpers/3s off the bounce, and swipes the ball away on defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2023/09/bells-elite-eight-from-the-top-250-expo/">Read More About Ariyana</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='964299' first='Maddox' last='Guerrant']-5-11-C-East Lansing-[program_tooltip program_id='714446' first='Capitol' last='City Express']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Maddox is a team-first player with defensive stopper skills that shut down opposing forwards/centers. She uses her length to deflect passes and block shots. Maddox is an effective help-side defender and communicator who works hard to secure rebounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2024/05/offers-out-to-2025s/">Read More About Maddox</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Freeland Falcons</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":973187,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/08/PGHJam-Freeland-v2.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-973187" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='716675' first='Karie' last='Keefer']-5-8-CG-Freeland-[program_tooltip program_id='955650' first='Michigan' last='Drive Express']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Karie is a dynamic guard with a polished offensive skillset that takes over games. She heats up beyond the arc to bury 3s and beats defenders using different combo dribbles to score at the rim. Karie has excellent finishing footwork and balance to convert acrobatic attempts at the rim. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2024/07/2025-guards-howling-pt-2/">Read More About Karie</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='749646' first='Jozelynn' last='Begick']-5-10-SG-Freeland-Mystics</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jozelynn uses her length and offensive abilities to make a great impact on the court. She gets on a roll, peppering the net with 3-pointers, but also drives by defenders to sink floaters. Jozelynn creates matchup issues for opposing guards with her height, 3-point accuracy, and burst off the bounce. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2023/11/bells-top6-session-1-headliners/">Read More About Jozelynn</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Grand Haven Buccaneers</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":973209,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/08/PGHJam-GrandHaven.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-973209" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='716471' first='Gillian' last='Sorrelle']-5-9-CG-Grand Haven-MBA</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gillian is a solid overall guard prospect for the Bucs and she competes effectively on both ends of the court. She swipes the ball away on defense to create transition layups and swats shots in the paint. Gillian slashes off the dribble using a variety of attack moves to create space and score. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2024/06/juniors-and-seniors-shine-at-ferris-team-camp/">Read More About Gillian</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='807315' first='Mallory' last='Woiteshek']-6-3-C-Grand Haven-[program_tooltip program_id='952340' first='The' last='House']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mallory is a determined rim protector who blocks shots against 6-footer forwards and guards alike. She has sneaky mobility for her height to close out and deflect shots on the perimeter and run the floor for transition layups. Mallory finishes effectively in the paint with either hand, secures rebounds, and takes her team to a higher level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2024/06/bcam-reaching-higher-future-is-bright/">Read More About Mallory</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Upcoming Events<br></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":962082,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/08/UPSIDE_Announcement-Detail-2024-d.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-962082" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Upside by Highest Platform</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":969797,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/08/PGHMI-ExpoBell2024.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-969797" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://events.prepgirlshoops.com/e/1255/register/the-expo-michigan">Register for The Expo</a></h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">At the Buzzer</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Evan Bell</strong>&nbsp;is currently a scout for Prep Girls Hoops and Director of&nbsp;<a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/program/prepare-2-win-basketball/"><strong>&nbsp;</strong></a><strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/program/prepare-2-win-basketball/"><strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong></a><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/program/prepare-2-win-basketball/"><strong>&nbsp;</strong></a><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/program/prepare-2-win-basketball/"><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='923712' first='Prepare' last='2 Win Basketball']</strong></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong>&nbsp;. Our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.prepnetwork.com/frequently-asked-questions/">mission</a>&nbsp;at PGH is to cover as many athletes with D2, D3, NAIA, and JUCO potential in the state as possible. If you know a prospect off our radar, please DM Evan through Twitter @CoachEvanBell or email him at prepare2winbasketball@gmail.com</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->